Quick and simple ideas for craft table!

[Dingle]

I am I am possibly going to do my first real craft table..I have only done the odd one or two at local schools/nurseries before.

This one is a new monthly craft market, although I am not raising my hopes too high, it's early days, not sure of interest etc, but tables are only £10 so it is certainly worth a try. At the end of the day it all helps raise money for the church restoration fund so I am only really looking to cover my costs...(fingers crossed) I am also trying to fundraise £40 to send a member of DD's school to a specialist training event our Down Syndrome charity has organised, so anything above that would be good!

Can you experienced crafters out there give some advice over;

what to take
stock of cards - what sells well for you
ideas on how to display ( I have no fancy stands!)
gimmicky/novelty items to add interest (preferably fairly cheap and quick to make!)

Goodness, I am wondering if I will ever be prepared. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Good luck!

I have only done this once, and I made about £40, nearly all of that was from cards, although I had made some Xmas decs.

I found birthday cards for children sold well, and new baby cards.

this was a pity, as Id made vast numbers of Xmas cards, with it being a winter sale, but Ive learnt from it!

Not sure about displaying. I was going to put mine in baskets, with open samples for display, but it turned out there was one of those tower stands you see paperback books in, so I put the cards in that.

I found that a rummage basket of cheaper things goes down well - especially if you put the word SALE on it !
It depends on the market / people who come. In my limited epxerience, I found people come to these things to look and don't really want to spend loads - so cheaper things sell better than more expensive things.
As more people seem to be into crafting, have you thought about putting together some kits to make a card yourself ?? (thinking Sizzix bodies + clothes etc)

I have a few baskets and was going to raid the bathroom storage as well!

I have a few memory wire beaded bracelets and phone charms too - I have a felt covered cork notice board for those.

Got lots of my "older stock" that I am more than happy to heavily reduce.

Whizzz, did think of making up a few card kits.....but that is as far as I have got!

I have some corsages made ...somewhere..and in the loft there are some little painted and decorated boxes and frames,,,,and some knitted bags....and...oh...my big table clothe and...goodness knows!

I was just trying to think of some cheap little gifts, perhaps some simple beaded bookmarks....or something similar. Like you said, rummaging around bargains always goes down well....LOL...that if anyone turns up!

I have to say i find it difficult to judge what the public will go for.

I love the "distressed" style of card, like your valentine, Dingle, but so far I havent been able to make anything like that.

But I found the ones that sold were the slightly "tacky" ones or pastelly ones.

Mind you, the "Queen" card maker round here who sells at the village hall coffee mornings, is a Dufex lover, so i suppose it just reflects people's individual taste.

Also agree with keeping the prices low. No way did I make a profit, but since I look on card making as a hobby, I think any sales just help me replenish my stash! Same if youre doing it for a charity - it all helps, but you had the fun making the stuff.

I also did Bulk buys - buy 3, get one free, which did seem to be an incentive.

• White table cloth
• Simple and uncluttered
• Basket displys
• Cards fanned out on the table in specific groupings i.e. Valentines, For Her, For Him, Children, Novelty, Mothers Day etc.
• Cake Stand with cards fanned out looks nice too
• Some clear (battery) fairy lights
• Vase / posy of spring flowers to add colour

Hope some of this is of some use

Watch the table cloth you use !
Too large a one ends up too near the floor & is at risk of being stepped on, pulling everything onto the floor !!
Anything more delicate, put nearer the back away from kids hands (they have to pick everything up in my experience !! )